WWE NXT: Ranking Every Performer to Hold the NXT Championship

Credit: WWE.com

10.  Sami Zayn

If any one performer can be called the man who put NXT on the map, it’s probably Sami Zayn. Through his matches with Antonio Cesaro, the Underdog from the Underground cemented himself as the first true face of NXT, while also establishing the brand itself as can’t-miss wrestling.

Ultimately, however, this acclaim did not translate to the lengthy title reign that he may have deserved. Winning the NXT Championship from Adrian Neville at the horrendously named TakeOver: R Evolution, Zayn’s victory was the culmination of a month’s long redemption storyline that saw him struggling to prove that he could actually win the big one without having to resort to underhanded tactics.

The emotion when Zayn chose not to hit a prone Neville with the Championship was palpable, but even it was nothing compared to the collective sense of catharsis when he managed to cover The Man that Gravity Forgot following the Helluva Kick.

Even in victory, however, Sami Zayn was to remain the underdog, being brutally attacked mere moments later by best friend/arch nemesis Kevin Owens who had debuted earlier in the night.

Zayn managed a single successful title defense against Neville before being defeated by Owens via referee stoppage at TakeOver: Rival. While Zayn may not have had a great title run, the entire story was an extremely thrilling and memorable ride, as were the matches, which elevates the reign into the top ten.